"Oh, she's plenty feisty if you're a ningo," he assured Cat, his grin still lopsided as he looked down at his companion getting all the scritches she craved. He led the way through the crowd at a relaxed amble, not in a particular hurry since they were just taking a leisurely tour along the coast towards the port. He was in even less of a hurry as the conversation turned somber, but the jut of the rebuilt structures of the port were visible by their torches and lanterns as he gestured towards them, explaining how recent they were after Starfall had wiped the island of Kaiholo clean.
He reached up to rub at his neck, uncertain how to take her empathy and he just gave a noncommittal bob of his head. "Dunno about that. I don't believe in fate, but can't argue about the surprises," he conceded. Her mention of his home that he was so rarely in earned a shrug that was part resigned acknowledgment and part disagreement that faded beneath her continued support.
"Nah, Alys has my back. An' she's started travelin' with me again this year, visitin' her clients in the cities where I make deliveries." Speaking of his partner perked him up immediately, chasing the thoughtful resting-scowl-face away and bringing his shoulders up and straight again as something resembling a spring entered his step. "An'... actually, yeah, I've had a couple friends helpin' out," he admitted, almost surprised as he thought back to just how many people had been willing to help him look. Noah and Sah, Koa and Soleil, Maea and Zavien... "Maybe more'n a couple. An' sometimes we even find someone, so... makes it all worthwhile, y'know?"
It was his turn to glance over at her, not having missed how she had spoken of her own father. "So, uh... how'd your da feel about you catchin' a ride t'Torchline?" A question asked cautiously, in case it was too personal or else hit a nerve.
He reached up to rub at his neck, uncertain how to take her empathy and he just gave a noncommittal bob of his head. "Dunno about that. I don't believe in fate, but can't argue about the surprises," he conceded. Her mention of his home that he was so rarely in earned a shrug that was part resigned acknowledgment and part disagreement that faded beneath her continued support.
"Nah, Alys has my back. An' she's started travelin' with me again this year, visitin' her clients in the cities where I make deliveries." Speaking of his partner perked him up immediately, chasing the thoughtful resting-scowl-face away and bringing his shoulders up and straight again as something resembling a spring entered his step. "An'... actually, yeah, I've had a couple friends helpin' out," he admitted, almost surprised as he thought back to just how many people had been willing to help him look. Noah and Sah, Koa and Soleil, Maea and Zavien... "Maybe more'n a couple. An' sometimes we even find someone, so... makes it all worthwhile, y'know?"
It was his turn to glance over at her, not having missed how she had spoken of her own father. "So, uh... how'd your da feel about you catchin' a ride t'Torchline?" A question asked cautiously, in case it was too personal or else hit a nerve.
